A. The earlier you plant, ideally September, the quicker they'll establish and flower. Planting pansies in November means that apart from the blooms they already have, they will wait until warmer spring weather to flower.

My heathers arrived in colours to dye for

Q. I have been given a collection of heathers but they are in unreal shades of blue and yellow. Do you think they're dyed? - Penny Jones, Poole, Dorset

A. Yes. They are sprayed with vegetable dyes when in bud and the petals and foliage take up and hold the colour all winter. When they grow in spring they'll return to their natural colour.

Dog mess on lawn is driving us potty

Q. My mum's dog messes on her lawn because she can no longer walk him. What do you recommend we do as it's spoiling her enjoyment of the garden? - Keith Whittaker, Torquay, Devon

A. Buy her a Clean Green Dog Loo (£14.95, www.petstuffgalore.co.uk, 0800 599 9600). It uses water and Bioactivator to degrade dog waste so it can be flushed safely and without odour into surrounding soil or flowerbeds.

Write to Adrienne at Homes & Holidays, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP. Or you can send an email to homes@sundaymirror.co.uk